During the October 2011 eruption of El Hierro volcano, hundreds of steaming volcanic "bombs" appeared floating on the sea surface about 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) offshore La Restinga village. Tiny marine fossils encased in the lava fragments could reveal when El Hierro volcano, a new study suggests. Here are amazing images of the eerie rocks.
Fossils in lava erupted from El Hierro volcano in 2011. (Photo credit: Valentin Troll, Uppsala University)
Marine sedimentary rock encased in lava from El Hierro volcano's 2011 eruption. (Photo credit: Valentin Troll, Uppsala University)
Floating lava steams in the ocean during El Hierro volcano's 2011 eruption. (Photo credit: Valentin Troll, Uppsala University)
Another view of lava bombs offshore El Hierro in 2011. (Photo credit: Valentin Troll, Uppsala University)
The underwater volcanic eruption at El Hierro volcano was marked by discolored seawater. (Photo credit: Valentin Troll, Uppsala University)
The extent of El Hierro volcano's 2011 underwater eruption. (Photo credit: Valentin Troll, Uppsala University)
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